Is there anything better than watching hundreds of NCAA football players run around, defying the laws of physics and whatnot, while we sit around, eat and drink beer? The answer is: “No. No, there is not.”
It’s what fall is for, and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop is a great enabler for that sort of thing.
But before the tailgate starts, you may want to know a thing or two about this year’s college football season. We’re here to help. Because we care.
Here are the top 10 NCAA football players to look out for this year:
10. Vernon Hargreaves III, Florida
Year: Sophomore
Position: Cornerback
He was the No. 1 nationally ranked cornerback coming out of high school and the No. 2 overall. Hargreaves III turned down 35 offers to attend Florida and had an impressive true freshman year. Now, armed with a little more experience, he’ll be a pest to every offense he encounters this season.
9. Jeremy Langford, Michigan State
Year: Senior
Position: Running back
His is really an underdog story. Langford was a backup on defense and special teams before turning running back and running for more than 1,400 yards for 18 touchdowns. Moving into his senior year, Langford has fans’ attention and plans to keep it that way.
8. Todd Gurley, Georgia
Year: Junior
Position: Running back
Gurley didn’t reach the 1,000-yard mark last season due to injuries that forced him to the sidelines, but when this kid is at 100 percent, he’s vicious. In his game against Clemson last year, he ran 154 yard with two TDs on only 12 carries. Clemson safety Robert Smith said bringing Gurley down was like tackling a tree trunk, which we’d imagine is tough.
7. Randy Gregory, Nebraska
Year: Junior
Position: Defensive end
He’s an offense’s worst nightmare. At 6’6″ and 245 pounds, Gregory’s tall enough to interfere with the passing game and quick enough to chase you down. His All-Big Ten first team performance last year with 10 sacks and 19 tackles for a loss is apparently nothing compared to what he’s capable of.
6. Vic Beasley, Clemson
Year: Senior
Position: Defensive end
Last year he was ranked top 10 nationally with 13 sacks, 23 tackles for a loss and four forced fumbles. Offensive linemen will be pleased to know he turned down the NFL to come back and sharpen his chops—using them as punching bags.
5. Mike Davis, South Carolina
Year: Junior
Position: Running back
Davis was plagued with an intermittent injury last season but still racked up almost 1,200 yards and 11 TDs. He’s a beast, and he knows it. “I’m going to run angry next season, and everybody’s going to know about it,” he told ESPN recently. Check, please.
4. Bryce Petty, Baylor
Year: Senior
Position: Quarterback
His 32 touchdowns (14 rushing) and 4,200 yards with only 3 interceptions in his first season as a starter had coaches around the country kicking themselves for not picking up on him sooner. Hello? If Baylor has a shot of winning it all, it’ll be because of Mr. Petty.
3. Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin
Year: Junior
Position: Running back
Although his name certainly isn’t intimidating anyone, this junior running back is a solid threat every time he’s on the field. He has averaged about eight yards per carry in his tenure at Wisconsin, with 206 carries, 1,609 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2013. He was eligible for the draft after last season, but two disappointing losses to end the season have him coming back for redemption.
2. Marcus Mariota, Oregon
Year: Junior
Position: Quarterback
If he can keep his knee healthy, this multi-talented quarterback could hoist the Heisman Trophy and take his team all the way. His 3,655 yards and 31 touchdowns (nine of which he ran in himself) turned the national spotlight on him and his Ducks last season, and we don’t expect anything different in 2014.
1. Jameis Winston, Florida State
Year: Sophomore
Position: Quarterback
Last year, his 4,057 yards and 40 touchdowns won him the Heisman Trophy and the BCS National Championship. What’s more impressive is he did it all as a redshirt freshman. Though his off-the-field incidents may have NFL scouts scratching their heads, he still has a big sophomore year ahead of him. He may make a repeat appearance at the next Heisman Trophy ceremony and the next national championship game, if he can stay out of trouble.
